Can burning incense at home cause cell damage and lung harm?
Yes. Incense smoke particles cause oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, and programmed cell death in human lung and skin cells.
What's actually in it
Burning incense releases a cloud of fine and ultrafine particles into the air. These particles carry polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide. The smaller the particle, the deeper it travels into your lungs. The smallest ones pass through lung tissue and into your bloodstream. A single incense stick can produce more particulate matter than a cigarette.
What the research says
A 2026 study in Chem Res Toxicol tested incense aerosols on multiple human cell types, including lung cells. The researchers separated the particles by size and tested each fraction. Even the smallest particles caused serious damage.
The particles triggered a flood of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside cells. That burst of oxidation overwhelmed the cells' defenses and broke down their mitochondria. Without working mitochondria, cells can't produce energy. The cells then entered programmed cell death, a process called apoptosis.
Every cell type tested was affected: lung cells, skin cells, and immune cells. The damage scaled with particle concentration. Burning incense in a small, poorly ventilated room exposes you to high concentrations. If you burn incense regularly, keep windows open and limit the time you spend in the same room.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Size-Segregated Incense Aerosols Drive ROS-Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Programmed Cell Death Across Human Cell Types | Chem Res Toxicol | 2026 |
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